In Legal Terms

A consumer is entitled to a refund if the airline cancelled a flight, regardless of the reason, and the consumer chooses not to travel. Also: A consumer is entitled to a refund if the airline made a significant schedule change and/or significantly delays a flight and the consumer chooses not to travel.

According to the US Department of Transportation: if you have a flight cancellation or delay that was controllable by the airline you might be entitled to:

• Rebook passenger on same airline at no additional cost for significant delays
• Rebook on partner airline or another airline with which it has an agreement at no additional cost for significant delays
• Meal or meal cash/voucher when flight delay results in passenger waiting 3 hours or more
• Complimentary hotel accommodations for any passenger affected by an overnight delay
• Complimentary ground transportation to and from hotel for any passenger affected by an overnight delay

You can also see what airlines guarantee that families with children can sit together.

https://www.transportation.gov/airconsumer  

If you’ve got some flights in your future you might want to learn what’s the best option for you –

Should you sign up for Clear? Or TSA PreCheck? Or Global entry? Each are ways, for a price! you can expedite your security screening at airports. 

• CLEAR allows for a quick identity verification experience. Clear reduces your wait time even further by automating the identity verification process and whisking travelers to the front of security lines.
• With TSA PreCheck, you’ll get access to an expedited security line and reduced security measures. You can leave your shoes, belt and a light jacket on, and you can leave your laptop and 3-1-1 liquids in your bag. PreCheck is available at more than 200 airports with 80 airlines. It costs $85 for five years.
• Global Entry (which includes TSA PreCheck) is an incredibly useful tool for the frequent flyer since it allows you to clear U.S. Customs and Border Protection in minutes after a trip abroad. It costs $100 for five years.

https://www.clearme.com/

https://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/global-entry

https://www.tsa.gov/precheck

If you have a flight to the European Union, and it’s delayed 3 hours or more, you might be entitled to over $600 dollars! I’ll have a link to the Air Passenger’s rights on the show information for this podcast.

https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/travel/passenger-rights/index_en.htm

https://www.tsa.gov/travel

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2023/03/03/2023-04494/airline-ticket-refunds-and-consumer-protections-public-hearing